Research

Radio Drama Genres 

There are multiple types of radio drama genres that are played at certain times to attract and entertain specific types of audiences, these genres are played at certain times of the day and on certain radio

Independent Radio Drama: similar to a short story, this radio drama is played by itself and does not have any prequels or sequels. This drama can range in lengths between 5 minutes to an hour.

As a series: This is a collection of Independent Radio Dramas that are made into series. For example, the title of a radio drama could be The White Hare and the Dog and the next one in its series could be named The White Hare and the Dog's Friends - this makes it a radio drama that has a clear link and will most likely also have a link in storyline.

As a serial: This is an ongoing story that will continue from one broadcast to another. This is similar to a novel but in the form of audio.

Analysis of a Radio Drama

These two radio dramas are in the same genre as what I plan to make my drama - murder. This is helpful to me because it means that I can use techniques and ideas from these radio dramas and implement them into my own.

This radio drama has a narrator introduce the scene by stating that it is a "5 minuet mystery" that takes place in "Green Gap, a small town in the Southern Cabin District". A few seconds after the narrator finishes speaking, there is a progression of organ sounds that indicate that the radio drama has started and that the narrator is no longer the one speaking (the voice actors are). The radio drama plays on and the audience is told about the young man that was found in the woods and is unconscious. The voice actor creates suspense by making his voice sound urgent and by saying "you better come quick before he's dead". The film maker uses the crounching of leaves and other varius sounds to convey movement through a forest, this is affective to the audience as it sets the scene and makes the radio drama believable.



Practicing in Audition





This is a test of the Audition software we will be using for the project. In this test I decided to make a sound byte related to my genre of drama (crime). The ambient sounds I created where those of a police station.